Barcelona started the season in perhaps the best form they have shown in years, culminating in the thrashing of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Since that highlight, however, things could hardly have gone worse in La Liga.
Their latest defeat to Leganes has made it just one win in six games at home, a run that has seen them drop 13 points and relinquish their lead in the table. Those numbers aren't even the most worrying.
As reported by Sport, Barcelona have 38 points from the first 18 games – exactly the same as last year under Xavi Hernandez, in a season that was widely labeled as disastrous at the end of it. They are seven points behind where they won the league with Xavi, but have at least scored sixteen more goals and conceded one goal less than last season.
The same outlet further notes that the last time Barcelona showed such poor form, Ronald Koeman was out of a job. Marca also emphasizes that no team has taken fewer points in the last five matchdays in La Liga than the two that Barcelona has. Valencia and Alaves both have three, with Ruben Baraja's job security in question, and Chacho Coudet has recently been installed at Mendizorrotza.
Another problem Flick faces is their inability to respond to adversity. Since the early-season comebacks against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia in August, MD notes that Barcelona have not been able to pick up a single point from games in which they have fallen behind: AS Monaco, Osasuna, Real Sociedad, Las Palmas and Leganes.
Barcelona will take on Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening and will also be without main creator Lamine Yamal due to injury, in a match that could be decisive in the title race. Still, the race will be over for the Blaugrana sooner or later if the players and Flick don't find a way to overcome their recent struggles.
Comments